Fans Incensed as Controversial Referee Appointed for Copa America Final
The appointment of Brazilian referee Raphael Claus to officiate the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia has sparked outrage among fans.
The decision to assign Claus to the high-profile match has raised eyebrows due to his previous contentious relationship with Argentina captain Lionel Messi. During a 2020 match between Argentina and Paraguay, Messi was visibly frustrated with Claus’s officiating, accusing him of bias.
Fans on social media expressed their fury over Claus’s appointment, questioning the impartiality of a Brazilian referee in a match involving Argentina. The two nations share a historic rivalry, fueling concerns that Claus’s presence could influence the outcome.
One fan exclaimed, “A Brazilian ref in a Copa America final with Argentina? Seriously?!” Another lamented, “They just don’t want Argentina to win it.” A third bluntly stated, “Lmao Colombia will win then. This guy hates Messi.”
However, some fans defended Claus’s appointment, citing Brazil’s own experience with an Argentine referee in previous Copa America matches. “Did you cry when Brazil had an Argentinian ref in their last 2 matches? Deal with it,” one fan commented.
Despite the controversy surrounding Claus’s appointment, it remains to be seen whether his presence will have a significant impact on the outcome of the final. Argentina will be looking to extend their recent dominance in international tournaments, while Colombia aims to dethrone the defending champions.
Claus’s History with Argentina
Raphael Claus has a history of controversial decisions involving Argentina. In the 2020 Copa America semi-final between Argentina and Colombia, Claus awarded a crucial penalty to Colombia, which was later converted by James Rodriguez. The decision was widely debated, with many believing it was a soft call.
In the same tournament, Claus officiated Argentina’s quarter-final match against Venezuela. He granted a penalty to Argentina in the first half, which was subsequently missed by Lionel Messi. The decision to award the penalty was met with mixed reactions, with some arguing that it was a legitimate foul while others believed it was a soft decision.
Implications for the Final
The presence of Raphael Claus as the referee for the Copa America final could potentially impact the outcome of the match. Messi, who has had previous run-ins with Claus, may be more cautious in his approach to avoid drawing attention from the referee. This could give Colombia an advantage, as it would allow them to be more aggressive in their play.
However, it is important to note that Claus is an experienced and respected referee. He has officiated in numerous high-profile matches, including the 2019 Copa America final. Claus is known for his fair and consistent officiating, and it is likely that he will approach the final with the same level of professionalism.
Ultimately, the outcome of the Copa America final will be determined by the performance of the two teams on the night. However, the presence of Raphael Claus as the referee has added an element of intrigue and potential controversy to the match.
